MUSKEGON, MI – I took my first ArtPrize tour a week ago and I came away from downtown Grand Rapids with a much greater appreciation of the West Michigan region where we all live.

Crowds gather in downtown Grand Rapids for ArtPrize.Mlive file photo

You see, after a great Saturday afternoon and evening touring ArtPrize entries and having a quality dining experience in downtown Grand Rapids, I took my two English Springer Spaniels that next afternoon for a glorious fall walk in P.J. Hoffmaster State Park.

That combination of activities is what the Michigan’s West Coast slogan of “Cool City, Big Lake” is all about. We are all truly blessed to live in this region.

As an observer of the petty battles and community turf wars between Grand Rapids and Muskegon over the years, I see some of those obstacles going away. ArtPrize is a great way for those on the Lakeshore to experience a fine urban community that is less than an hour from our doorsteps.

A group shown hiking in P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Norton Shores.Chronicle file photo

Just as someone from Kentwood will bring their pets to Muskegon’s Dog Beach or a family from Marne will enjoy a day at Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park, Muskegon-area residents have an opportunity to have a quality urban experience without going to Chicago, Milwaukee or Detroit.

I have been going to downtown Grand Rapids for years whether visiting The Grand Rapids Press Building, covering business stories at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or officiating volleyball at either Grand Rapids Community College or in DeVos Place. But not until walking the streets of downtown Grand Rapids for ArtPrize did I come to appreciate just how far West Michigan’s leading city has come.

The grouping of specialty retail shops, quality restaurants, art and cultural exhibits and major entertainment venues has made Grand Rapids a tourist destination. And when the West Michigan region adds the natural, outdoor experiences of Lake Michigan, the region creates a pretty solid combination.

The importance of the West Michigan region was first recognized by the West Michigan Strategic Alliance a dozen years ago as Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon were shown to anchor an area that is home to 1.1 million people. Selling West Michigan through the Michigan’s West Coast travel campaign furthered the growing economic partnership.

Finally, the new West Michigan economic development agreement among units of government in Kent and Muskegon counties as part of the NextMichigan program hammers home the importance of cooperation throughout the region.

So take some time this week to tour ArtPrize in downtown Grand Rapids and likewise enjoy a fall walk in the dunelands along Lake Michigan. In West Michigan, you can do both.

Restaurant options expanding

The signs all over town are for restaurant options in Muskegon to be expanding in the future. Work continues by restaurant developers Hoby and Bo Thrasher for Hank’s Tavern on Henry Street and the redevelopment of the old Aaron’s Restaurant building on Whitehall Road.

The old Brutus' BBQ building, 5147 Harvey, has been brought down but there are no plans for the site in front of the Lakeshore Marketplace.Dave Alexander | Muskegon Chronicle

Work also is continuing on a new Japanese steakhouse restaurant in the old Dave’s Barbeque location in front of The Lakes Mall in Fruitport Township and a new Popeye’s Chicken outlet in the old KFC building on Norton Avenue across from Meijer in Norton Shores. The Lakes Mall still is slated to get the Grand Haven-based Big Pappa’s Grill and Pub at its main entrance.

A new sign has gone up on an old Asian buffet restaurant that has been vacant in the former Kmart Plaza in Norton Shores. A “gourmet taco” restaurant seems to be planned for a storefront next to Toast N’ Jams and TCBY. An Asian hibachi grill sign remains on the former Old Country Buffet building on East Sherman Boulevard in the city of Muskegon but no work is apparent.

Finally, the old Brutus’ BBQ building in front of Lakeshore Marketplace in Norton Shores has been taken down but city officials said no plans for a new business at that location have surfaced. The building, which once was a Hooters Restaurant, had deteriorated to the point that it was unusable and needed to be torn down, city officials said.

With Norton Shores and Fruitport joining the Muskegon water system, for all practical purposes, the area will have a consolidated water service through intergovernmental contracts. It is now hoped that the city of Muskegon Heights and the city of Muskegon can come to an agreement to operate the area’s two water filtration plants in a cooperative manner.